EU tightens compliance rules for food-contact plastic packaging

Two EU regulations published on 29 October 2026, (EU) 2026/2376 and (EU) 2026/2412, amend the compliance rules for plastics in contact with food. They add new declaration types, tighten traceability for recycled plastics and the registration and inspection of recycling technologies and installations, and authorise four new substances. PET-based materials, some multilayer PET sheets and plastic kitchenware are among the products most affected, and producers, converters and recyclers are advised to review their documentation.

Why this mattersTighter traceability and documentation rules raise compliance costs across the food-contact plastics supply chain and intersect directly with PPWR recycled-content targets.

• Regulation (EU) 2026/2376 amends the 2022/1616 rules on recycled plastics; (EU) 2026/2412 updates the list of authorised substances for food-contact plastics, both published 29 October 2026.
• Two new declaration types are introduced: a simplified Type C declaration for later supply-chain stages and a Type P document to trace pre-treated plastic feedstock used in recycling.
• Companies must hold supporting documentation at the point of issuing a compliance declaration and produce it to authorities within 10 working days of a request.
• Recycled batches require unique lot identifiers and quality records kept for at least five years.
• New recycling technologies must be registered at least six months before the first affected equipment starts operation, with authorities given five months to verify compliance.
• Equipment must be registered at least 30 working days before production start, with a compliance summary due within 30 days of start-up, and four new substances (FCM 1086, 1087, 1088, 1090) are authorised under strict conditions.

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